Daunted by the towering peaks of the Hithaeglir, Lenwë, his son Denethor, and the Nandor forsook the march of the Elves to the West and passed southward down the Anduin. Much later Denethor would lead a part of those people west into Beleriand.[1]

Centuries before the first rising of the Sun, Orcs and other foul creatures of Morgoth began to harass the Nandor east of the Blue Mountains. Hearing of the power and protection of the Elf King Thingol, Denethor led many of his people over the Blue Mountains into Beleriand. They settled in Ossiriand and Denethor became their king. They were called the Laiquendi (Quenya for "Green-elves").

Years later, in Y.T.1497, Morgoth loosed an army on Beleriand, beginning the First Battle in the Wars of Beleriand.[2] The lightly-armed Laiquendi were driven back to the great hill of Amon Ereb, where Denethor was slain.[3] While the Laiquendi survived, they became a reclusive people, seldom taking up arms, and never again naming a king.[4]

In an explanation of the name of Denethor II (who was named after this elf), the Steward of Gondor, it is stated that Denethor is Nandorin fit into the Sindarin sound range, and is said to mean "Lithe and lank".[5]